Parallel Flow Condensers and R12a - Update!

[Brad D.]

Here is a pic I snapped last night of the parallel flow condenser and fan.

[rs4pro3]

What condenser did you end up using? Did you have to make custom lines?

[Brad D.]

I got super lucky at the local PNP and found both the condenser and custom hoses. I was going to order one from ACkits.com but found this so I didn't have to.

[FL5]

I just finished my AC last week. I replaced ever part but the metal lines. They were flushed while off the car. I wanted the best possible combo. I put in R134a expecting the worst based upon results I had read. Right now it's 90+ in south Florida and the temp at the vents is 44 degrees. Even at the stop lights it's cold. I have a parallel flow in reserve but I not going to install it. It's not needed!

[Brad D.]

Having now had different configurations in my car I can say that having the PF condenser is still better than the 134a on the stock condenser. I don't know how much is attributed to the r12a and to the condenser, but I'd be willing to bet that the condenser efficiency is the driving factor here. With 134 the car would cool ok on the freeway and general town driving when the ambient temp was below 95F, but if it got above that and I got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic it was hopeless. Throw in 60+% humidity and the results weren't pretty. I think AC is in a way, subjective. Everyone has a "comfortable" vent temp. For some that is colder than others so different levels of effectiveness are ok if it suits you. It sounds like your system works well though (sounds like you did a very thourough conversion) and that is what matters.

[cfisher]

I had a few questions if any has the time to answer them. I'm a newbie at climate control systems, so I may be asking something that should be common knowledge.

1) With installing dual parallel flow condensors, do you see any decrease in engine cooling / increase in engine temp? Would the two PF condensors restrict airflow, or does the two together equal close to the same amount as is restricted by the stock condensor?

2) I've read in my searches of the posts about barrier type hoses. If I bought new hoses from BMW would they be barrier type? Are they even necessary? If they are and the ones from BMW are not barrier type, where would I be able to buy them?

3) And this question is for JBort. What size PF condensors are you using on your car?

Thanks!
Chad

[Lee in LA]

I have an 88 535is (late model smaller condenser). It had r-134a in it when I bought it. I live in Louisiana, and it was alright most of the time, but as the temperature approached 95F, it just wouldn't cool any longer. With temps over 100F and leaving the car in a parking lot for a while, I might as well roll down the windows, because the air out of the vents was just plain hot. I tried rebuilding the system completely, but only minimal results. Just this past week I replaced the drier, and recharged with R-12. Night and Day difference. I know we're not to peak summer yet, but we have already seen mid and upper 90's and the air from the vents is nice and cold, even with the small stock condenser. It's cold enough that I don't even have to run it on max after I get the cabin chilled a little. The earlier models have a larger condenser that might help even more when sitting at traffic lights on a hot day, but I believe that requires a different hose.

R-12 more difficult to find but it can be readily had for a decent price on ebay. I thought this was a lot easier than trying to fit an aftermarket condenser, and I'm very happy with the results.

[76FJ55]

I was wandering what sort of pressures everyone is running for low side and high side on R134a systems. I am seriously thinking of doing the daul condensor like JBort. It was around 110 here thisweekend and the converted systen in the 84 533I wasn't even close to making the car feel cool.

What RPM are you checking pressures at?

JBort, where did you get your condensors and what size are you running? Also, for your hoses I assume you had them fab'ed locally. did you order the parts and have them crimped locally or did the local shop have everything on hand?

[Azure]

So I'm on the verge of buying a PF condenser, probably from ACKits.com as mentioned.

The 14x19.5 unit has been mentioned, simple question though, anyone know for sure if it'll fit? I went out and measured the stock condenser and it's about 13x16.

Obviously this is a bit larger and I don't fancy getting stuck with a condenser I can't use.

Thanks!

[evoldeal]

Brad got lucky finding a recently converted 535i with the parallel-flow condensor that fits!
Aftermarket PF Condensors can be found here: http://www.ackits.com/c/Parallel/Parall ... minum.html

Looking at the Ackits.com website, the closest match to the one I found would be the 14"x19.5" unit (for all I know that is the same unit, it just doesn't have a picture). It fits great in the car. I will try to get some pics of mine mounted up.

Hello board, I need to replace the condenser on my 2/86 528e.

Does anyone know if this 14"x19.5" unit is also suitable for my vehicle? The stock unit is NLA, I found a refurbished one but from reading here sounds like this is the way forward.

[Shawn D.]

Brad got lucky finding a recently converted 535i with the parallel-flow condensor that fits!
Aftermarket PF Condensors can be found here: http://www.ackits.com/c/Parallel/Parall ... minum.html

Looking at the Ackits.com website, the closest match to the one I found would be the 14"x19.5" unit (for all I know that is the same unit, it just doesn't have a picture). It fits great in the car. I will try to get some pics of mine mounted up.

Hello board, I need to replace the condenser on my 2/86 528e.

Does anyone know if this 14"x19.5" unit is also suitable for my vehicle? The stock unit is NLA, I found a refurbished one but from reading here sounds like this is the way forward.

Which one are you talking about? What part number?

[evoldeal]

Which one are you talking about? What part number?

Original part #:64531376471 http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-AC-A-C-Cond ... b8&vxp=mtr

ACkits part#: CN 20016XC Economy Parallel Flow Condenser http://www.ackits.com/cn-20016xc-econom ... %2020016XC

[demetk]

Get the biggest condenser that will fit the opening. To increase the width of the condenser you can use these "Female o-ring 90 Degree Short Drop " fittings,



http://coldhose.com/fittings/oring/female-oring.html

[Tulsa6]

I've been wondering for awhile about the long term assessment of the dual condenser setup as being an improvement or not. Been awhile since I've seen any comments on that setup.

Also, the interior fan's air flow seems inadequate to cool the vehicle and compared to other makes AC, it would seem like it could be improved upon. Usually when it'd blowing at full blast I'm reaching down to turn the fan switch one more click, to which there isn't one. Probably would require thicker wiring to upgrade the motor, if you could even find a better motor and fan assembly that would fit in there.

[knunger]

If you go with a 14" x 19.5" condenser you have to use these:

Get the biggest condenser that will fit the opening. To increase the width of the condenser you can use these "Female o-ring 90 Degree Short Drop " fittings,



http://coldhose.com/fittings/oring/female-oring.html

That is, unless you WANT to cut on your radiator support!

[evoldeal]

Thought i'd give an update. I did purchase the 14x19" condenser from ackits.com and took it to an A/C specialist here near LA.

He preferred we install a 16x19" condenser as the 14" did not get full fan coverage and he said that was bad for cooling, waste of air flow.. I told him that surprised me since so many here have listed the 14x19".

Upon testing it cooled great but as soon as I started driving it sludged up the Dryer Filter with someone he called "black death" ~_~ They flushed the system replaced the dryer filter and it's back in action but he made no promises that it wouldn't find it's way through the rest of the system.

Fingers crossed as I'm getting insanely good cooling after driving the car for almost 2 years with inop a/c.

[TimS]

I put the 16 x19 in mine and it fits fine.

[evoldeal]

I've been wondering for awhile about the long term assessment of the dual condenser setup as being an improvement or not. Been awhile since I've seen any comments on that setup.

Also, the interior fan's air flow seems inadequate to cool the vehicle and compared to other makes AC, it would seem like it could be improved upon. Usually when it'd blowing at full blast I'm reaching down to turn the fan switch one more click, to which there isn't one. Probably would require thicker wiring to upgrade the motor, if you could even find a better motor and fan assembly that would fit in there.

I feel like the system cools better with the fan set to 1 or 2, for whatever reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[ElGuappo]

I put the 16 x19 in mine and it fits fine.

Tim, I'd like to see your car sometime. Text me when you're in town.

[Mike W.]

I feel like the system cools better with the fan set to 1 or 2, for whatever reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

While the expansion valve does a good job of adjusting the flow of refrigerant and regulating temperature, it has it's limits, and once you push a certain amount of air thru it can't keep up and the temp of the air coming out of the vents begins to rise. Same thing happens with the heater, the temp of the air coming out will be higher on low speed, but there will be more actual BTUs on high. Push enough air thru on either cooling or heating and you wouldn't be able to tell any temp difference.

[evoldeal]

I feel like the system cools better with the fan set to 1 or 2, for whatever reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

While the expansion valve does a good job of adjusting the flow of refrigerant and regulating temperature, it has it's limits, and once you push a certain amount of air thru it can't keep up and the temp of the air coming out of the vents begins to rise. Same thing happens with the heater, the temp of the air coming out will be higher on low speed, but there will be more actual BTUs on high. Push enough air thru on either cooling or heating and you wouldn't be able to tell any temp difference.

So I'm getting that if I just leave it on high it will cool/heat most efficiently?

I'm thinking i should install and light/clear uv tint to help the cooling along.

[Mike W.]

So I'm getting that if I just leave it on high it will cool/heat most efficiently?

I'm thinking i should install and light/clear uv tint to help the cooling along.

Technically yes, but it's all about feel. Twice as much say, 55 degree air may not feel as cool to you as half as much 45 degree air, even though it would actually be removing more heat from the cabin. Just set it where it feels the best and don't worry about theory.

[tn535i]

I feel like the system cools better with the fan set to 1 or 2, for whatever reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

While the expansion valve does a good job of adjusting the flow of refrigerant and regulating temperature, it has it's limits, and once you push a certain amount of air thru it can't keep up and the temp of the air coming out of the vents begins to rise. Same thing happens with the heater, the temp of the air coming out will be higher on low speed, but there will be more actual BTUs on high. Push enough air thru on either cooling or heating and you wouldn't be able to tell any temp difference.

I'm not sure I agree completely... Humidity is often overlooked as a big factor in a moderate or weak AC system like these cars have. If the evaporator is removing whatever btu's it's capable off (controlled by x-valve as you said) then vent and coil temperature is mostly a function of fan speed. Lower = colder and higher =warmer as you move more air across it. So the higher speed might not even get cool enough to get below the dew point and really start removing water while lower speeds just might let it start taking water out of the air. Dry air always 'feels' better even if it's the same temp as moist air. Moist air works against your body's own evaporative cooling. This is what I've noticed and just for confirmation look under the car and compare the rate of dripping on high vs low speed. Since our AC is recirc only it's also constantly changing temp and humidity in the cabin. It's recirc only probably because it's also weak and can't handle the moisture laden warm outside air all the time and make any progress cooling.

[SpruceBringstien]

Thought i'd give an update. I did purchase the 14x19" condenser from ackits.com and took it to an A/C specialist here near LA.

He preferred we install a 16x19" condenser as the 14" did not get full fan coverage and he said that was bad for cooling, waste of air flow.. I told him that surprised me since so many here have listed the 14x19".

Upon testing it cooled great but as soon as I started driving it sludged up the Dryer Filter with someone he called "black death" ~_~ They flushed the system replaced the dryer filter and it's back in action but he made no promises that it wouldn't find it's way through the rest of the system.

Fingers crossed as I'm getting insanely good cooling after driving the car for almost 2 years with inop a/c.

I'm in the LA area, looking for a shop that knows e28 air con.. would you mind posting the name of the specialist? (presumably you're happy with the work done)

thanx!!

[TimS]